Facebook is generally thought of as a networking site that is far more social than business oriented. Indeed, because the type of communication and sharing that goes on in Facebook tends toward the intimate and silly, people often make a point of keeping their business contacts away from their Facebook network. 

Nevertheless, Facebook has real value for some businesses - here are seven ways to use Facebook for your business.

1. Create a Facebook profile for your business. This is an easy way to keep business and personal separate. Creating a company profile (as a "page" or a "Group") helps extend awareness of your brand, and gives people another place to go to learn about your firm.

2. Get personal on your company's Facebook profile. Because people expect Facebook pages to emphasize the personal side of things, get personal. Use Facebook to put out updates on things like employee milestone anniversaries, employee awards and honors, notable employee achievements outside work, etc.

3. Broadcast company news. Facebook can function as your company's press room and press conference center. Post schedules of upcoming meetings, and field questions from employees and interested stakeholders after they are held. Again, emphasize the personal and have a little fun. Have employees put out updates from conventions and trade shows - what's the inside story? What have you seen that was unexpected or unusual? 

4. Coordinate meetings and events. It's easy to send out meeting and event invitations on Facebook, collect RSVPs, and let attendees talk to each other before, during, and after the activity. Attendees can share their expectations for the event, giving event planners valuable guidance in setting the agenda. On a more mundane level, coordinating through Facebook helps ensure attendees show up in the right place at the right time.

5. Publish photos. People love sharing photos on Facebook. If you want to get some buzz going on a company event, a new office, any newsworthy event whatsoever, take plenty of photos and share them on Facebook. Your friends will share the photos, comment on them, and talk about them on Twitter. All this attracts more people to your Page or  roup and solidifies relationships with your friends. And ... it's fun!

6. Start a Group around your firm's area of social concern. Facebook Groups around social causes attract lots of attention and participation. If there is cause your firm is passionate about, you can use Facebook as a medium to spread the word and give people ways to contribute time and make donations.

7. Join Groups - and participate. Perhaps strong Groups around areas of social (or industry-related) interest already exist. Join and participate! Although Facebook is not the best medium for forging new business contacts, Group conversations allow you to mingle with people having similar interests, and that leads to strong connections.

The seven ideas I've talked about come from my personal expereince, so I know they work for at least some firms. But one thing to remember about Facebook, it is robust like no other social site on the net. Custom apps for Facebook are being written at a mile a minute, and if you can think of something to do on Facebook, chances are, it's already being done.

Don't be afraid to experiment.